TRAVELLER Digest 508

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Tech Levels by marcus.hast@mailbox.swipnet.se (Marcus Hast)
  2) FASA's Star Trek license by erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu (Erich Schneider)
  3) Re: Ship designs. by "David J. Golden" <goldendj@whip.com>
  4) Traveller Tools by Michael Bailey by broussa@ConnectI.com (David C. Broussard)
  5) Starship Fuel Rules by rockratt@ix.netcom.com (Joseph Nassise )
  6) Re: Oliver by Bri <bri@teleport.com>
  7) DGP by mitch@intersys.com (Mitch Schwartz)
  8) WotC and GDW... by Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
  9) TL C Nigiyabazi Light Cruiser, revised. by Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
 10) TL C Orrimot-class Logistics ship by Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 23:10:27 +0100
From: marcus.hast@mailbox.swipnet.se (Marcus Hast)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Tech Levels
Message-ID: <199512072210.XAA21976@mailbox.swip.net>

<Snip>
>> In this century, we've progresed from about TL5 (is that
>> right? I can't check at the moment), to borderline TL8,

>That's right.  I think we're borderline TL9, now, in some
>areas, but lacking fusion and gravitics, the real hallmarks
>of TL9.

>> That's 4 TL's in 1 century - and that's without the added

<Snip>
>> Could there be a good reason for the rate of
>> technological progress to slow way way down?

>Isn't there a Calvin & Hobbes book called "Scientific
>Progress Goes Boink!"?  Maybe that's what happens.

<Snip>

I'd say it might be something as in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series
(Regarding Old Empire) That is, the people have become so comfortable and
thiks everythings so "jolly" that noone really cares to begin researching
again in a rapid pace. And those that were interested in research didn't get
all that much support from the government or companies to make their
research possible.

This might be one explanation at least. Earth have had several periods like
this I believe. Such as in the 17-18 century when the fysiologist thought
that everything had been discovered in the case of Fysics (Boy were they wrong!)

Just a thought.

        Marcus Hast
marcus.hast@mailbox.swipnet.se


------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 16:43:15 -0600
From: erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu (Erich Schneider)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: FASA's Star Trek license
Message-ID: <9512072243.AA14874@csdl.tamu.edu>

I know this doesn't have much to do with Traveller, but ...

The story I got from Sam Lewis, high muckety-muck of FASA at the time,
at a con in 1991 or so was that Paramount had this notion that what
people wanted to do with the STRPG was roleplay the characters of the
TV series in situations like the TV series. They didn't seem to have a
notion of the many types of people who play RPGs, including the people
who like combat/tactical situations. As a result, Paramount was
displeased with FASA STRPG adventures where a "military" solution was
even a suboptimal option, and were particularly displeased by the
concept of a "Star Fleet Marines" product, slated to come out soon
after that particular point in time. They thus pulled the license
because the STRPG wasn't evolving according to Roddenberry's vision or
some such. The bit with TNG stuff provided an added excuse as they
were able to use the fact that TNG was still being made at the time to
exert creative control over products related to it.

Me, I was just waiting for _Operation: Armageddon_, but apparently it
never got beyond the development stage.

The Battletech disputes are probably between FASA and licensees of
various anime series, as some of the mechs are clear copies of things
like the mechs in the _SDF Macross_ series (which was turned into part
one of the _Robotech_ series in the US).

--
Erich Schneider  erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu  http://bush.cs.tamu.edu/~erich

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 17:56:15 -0700
From: "David J. Golden" <goldendj@whip.com>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: Ship designs.
Message-ID: <199512080056.AA13187@ns-1.csn.net>

At 05:39 am 12/7/95 -0500, you wrote:
>
>Does anyone know of an excel ship design sheet that they could send
>me, to suppliment FFS, cause i get to stage 5 and always get stuck.
>Ta.
>
        There's a couple posted on my Web site, under one of the ship
designs there. I don't know how good they are; testing things out is low
priority while I'm lucky to be able to read my mail every day or so.
 ___________________________________________________________________
  Dave Golden                              PGP Public Key available
  goldendj@whip.com        http://www2.csn.net/~goldendj/index.html

 "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his
  enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes
  a precedent that will reach to himself" -- Thomas Paine


------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 21:42:59 -0600
From: broussa@ConnectI.com (David C. Broussard)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Traveller Tools by Michael Bailey
Message-ID: <9512080343.AA28777@ConnectI.com>

Michael sent me a copy of his new Traveller Tools as a Zip file.  As a
courtesy to the rest of the list. I have placed it on my web page...
http://www.connecti.com/~broussa/traveller.html

If you have any questions about how to get it feel free to contact me.
Michael is the contact on the program B-)
David C. Broussard (broussa@connecti.com)
Home page: http://www.connecti.com/~broussa/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The opinions represented herein are the sole responsibility of
the proclaimer, and should not be interpreted as dogma, doctrine
philosophy, or anything else other than blabber.  However, if you
REALLY like it, then gimme a dollar!
-----------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------

Date: Thu, 7 Dec 1995 21:56:33 -0800
From: rockratt@ix.netcom.com (Joseph Nassise )
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Starship Fuel Rules
Message-ID: <199512080556.VAA02313@ix12.ix.netcom.com>

I am new to Traveller:TNE and have been having some difficulty
understanding the rules governing fuel utilization by starships.  I was
hoping someone out there might be willing to either give me a brief
synopsis of just how to handle fuel usage while travelling in-system as
well as that utilized while in combat (an example with the scout
courier or far-trader vessels would be ideal).  If this seems like too
much effort, maybe someone could direct me to the correct pages in the
rulebook which govern this.  Thanks in advance!!

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 8 Dec 1995 00:42:01 -0800 (PST)
From: Bri <bri@teleport.com>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: Oliver
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.951208004119.395B-100000@linda.teleport.com>

 You wanted a comment or 80, here's one.......
TOO MUCH FREE TIME!<grin>
I do respect the headache that must have been, tho. Hope you had a
spreadsheet.

Bri <bri@teleport.com>


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 8 Dec 1995 08:24:31 -0500
From: mitch@intersys.com (Mitch Schwartz)
To: GREI5001@pcmail.uni-trier.de
Cc: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: DGP
Message-ID: <95Dec8.084203est.20483@gateway.intersys.com>

VAG (and anyone else)-

No, DGP is NOT out there.  They went out of business.

However, Roger Sanger (Cyberodge), who haunts here on occaision bought the
rights to their product line.

                                                                Ted7
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more
difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing in the tempting place.
                    -- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Official:                                                Unofficial:
mitch@intersys.com                     Ted7@world.std.com
                                                     http://world.std.com/~Ted7


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 08 Dec 1995 12:34:59 -0500 (EST)
From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: WotC and GDW...
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.951208122448.5234A-100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>


Note: this Wednesday Wizard of the Coast killed all their RPG products
(including Ars Magica, Everway, etc.) and instead decided to produce only
game cards (ie Magic, etc.).

Ughh.

Now, we know of the differences some people (including me) have with GDW,
but I'm starting to be more sympathetic to GDW's plight rather than angry
due to their... unwise... decisions.

I hope they manage to pull out of their current downward slope, and hope
that they realize A) the necessity of producing high-quality products B)
the need to eventually reconcile ye olde Classic fans, without
abandoning those who actually like the RC.

The Regency Sourcebook is a good start in this direction, and might serve
as the turnaround point for GDW.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvin Plummer
"Preserve what we created, Norris, and remember what we stood for."
                               - Strephon, 179-1126

Reply to: alvin.plummer@SHERIDANC.ON.CA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 08 Dec 1995 12:45:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: TL C Nigiyabazi Light Cruiser, revised.
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.951208123545.5234C-100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>


I miscalculated the jump fuel needed for the Light Cruiser: it had only
enough for one parsec.  So I axed 100 of the low-berth crew to make up
more space.  One-third of the staterooms were also removes, and
hot-bunking was instituted.

This new fuel space makes the Nigiyabazi have "unlimited" fuel for Battle
Rider purposes, increasing it's flexibility (and nullifying some of the
strategic analysis I posted previously).


TL C Nigiyabazi Light Cruiser

Disp      2500         Hull Armour  40  Power Plant
Len        117 m       Volume   35,000      Main: 7000 Mw Fusion, 1 yr Dur.
Price    2,130 MCr     Target Size   M            (50 Mw/hit)(351 Mw excess)
Config  Needle SL      TL            C      Emerg: 800 Mw Fusion, 1 yr
Dur. Mass    29,691/26,897mt                      (50 Mw/hit)

Jump         3 (7000 kl fuel)
G-rating     4 (1500 Mw/G), CG lifters (250 Mw)
G-turns   32.1 (50.9 w/jfuel), 371kl of fuel each
Maint     1325

Computer     2 * TL C st, 1 * TL C fb (.4 Mw st., .8 Mw fb)
Commo        Maser (1000 AU, .1 Mw), Laser (3000 km, .04 Mw),
             Radio (300,000 km, 10 Mw)
Avionics     TL A+
Sensors      P-EMS (60,000 km, .06 Mw), A-EMS [with DF] (300,000 km, 27.5 Mw)
ECM/ECCM     A-EMS jammer (300,000 km, 55 Mw), EM Masking (35 Mw)
Controls     Bridge * 26, Aux. Bridge * 26, 81 other stations

Offensive    TL C 2000 Mj PA (Loc: Spinal; Arc: 1, 55.5 Mw, 1 Crew)
             2:223 4:158 8:111 16:79

             2 * TL C 120 Mj Laser Turrent
             (Loc: 10, Arc: all. 3.3 Mw ea, 1 Crew)
             4:1/9-27 8:1/9-27 16:1/8-19 32: 1/3-9

             2 * Missile barbette
             (Loc: 10; Arc: all, 10 Ready missiles, .15 Mw ea., unmanned)
             [No specially alotted space for stored missiles]

Defensive    4 * Sandcasters (Loc:10 Arc:all 1 Mw Ea., 1 Crew ea, 30
             cannisters, 1D10 * 5 per hit)

MFD's        2 (msl/beam: -4 Diff, 10 hex, 3.15 Mw, 1 Crew ea.)
             1 (beam only: -4 Diff, 5 hex, 3 Mw, 1 Crew )

Extended Life Support
Crew         229
  Engineering   81  Maintenance    15  Stewards     5
  Electrical     4  Ship's troops   6  Medical      9
  Maneuvering    4  Flight Crew     4
  Gunnery       11  Command        40  Low Berth   50

Accomo          30 Sm. Staterooms (double, hot-bunking), 50 Low Berths
Facilities      Sickbay, Gym (201 Kl)
Small Craft     1 Internal Hangar (spacious) 2 * 2 disp air/rafts
                1 Internal Hangar (minimal)  1 * 30 disp Ship's boat
Air Locks       25

Fuel Purification: Purifies all jfuel in 72 hours
Fuel Scoops: scoops jfuel in 2 hr 30 min, all fuel in 7 hr 40 min

NOE: 160 kph
Combat move  153/22
Travel move  3300/960

Surface Area
1    1-6  Radio
      7   Maser, Laser, A-EMS, P-EMS, MFD Ant
2-3  1-11 EMM Masking
10   1 Airlock
11   1-2 Airlock

(All nonallotted area is hull)

Damage Area

1     1    1-7  Spinal Mount               ---/-- constant for all 20 areas
           8-20 Hold (fuel/coolant)        --/
      2-20 Elect
2-9   Hold        [2:1-3 Internal bay for 2 disp crafts
                  [  4-14 Internal bay for 30 disp craft
                  [3:1-11 cargo]
10    2-5 Elect (Aux Bridge)
      6-10 Wpns
     11-20 Quarters
11    Engineering
12-13 1-10 Quarters
     11-20 Hold
14-15  Hold
16-19  1-5 Engineering
       6-20 Hold
20    Engineering

System Damage

Electronics
  Maser, Radio, Laser, P-EMS     (1h) Ant (1h)
  A-EMS, A-EMS jammer            (3h) Ant (1h)
  EMM                             4H  Rad (175h)
Hold
  Hangar (2 * 2 disp)             1H
  Hangar (30 disp)                2H
  Cargo                         (10H)
Quarters
  Life Support                   25H
  Emergency L.S.                 13H
  Sm. Staterooms * 30           (2h ea.)
  Low Berths * 50               (1h ea.)
  ArtiGrav                        7H
  Sickbay                         1H
Engineering
  Jump Drive                     35H
  HEPlaR                          6H
  Power Plant - Main            140H
              - Emergency        16H
  ContraGrav                      8H
  Fuel Processing                 5H
Weapons
  Spinal P.A.                    11H
  MissileB * 2                    1H ea.
  LaserT * 2                      1H ea.
  Sandcaster * 4                  1H ea.

Battle Rider
            CF Nigiyabazi
   P2:6-4-4-2                  -2
   -                         TL C
   -                       FC: -4
   L(*1)4:1-1-0-0         M:2(10)
   A:10 P:2 J:10 Msk   (SP) J3 G4
   AV:2  AuxB                   -
   SC:2                        19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvin Plummer
" 'Jackboots to the stars?' *Now* you're talking!"
                               - Lucan, 043-1120

Reply to: alvin.plummer@SHERIDANC.ON.CA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------

Date: Fri, 08 Dec 1995 13:35:38 -0500 (EST)
From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: TL C Orrimot-class Logistics ship
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.951208124516.5234D-100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>


Every starfleet needs a vast number of these unglamourous ships - although
you never seem to see them in "Imperial Stars", "Strike Fleet", or any of the
other popular VR entertainment programs in the Imperium.  Never mind
that: without thousands and thousands of glorified cargo barges like these,
the Imperial Navy would swiftly grind to a halt.

First built in 138, these flying bricks perfectly reflect the big, bulky
and dour design philosophy of the Vilani.  They also happen to be quite
capable in their work: after all, 1000 years later they still serve in
innumerable frontier fleets, as tankers and second-tier naval logstics
vessels.

(In a pinch they can support Marine contigments, but lack the
armour to serve in any more hostile environment than your typical
bushfire rebellion.  They also lack sufficent on-board cargo shuttles,
and the Marines get to sleep in the cargo hold - hopefully modified to
house them, rather than sleeping on the bare floor.

The Orrimot DOES at least have CG lifters, unlike most dedicated space
tankers/freighters.  So it can lift off, as well as land...)

These ships are rarely seen in civilian service: the two large hamster cages
used to mimic gravity is rather unpopular among merchants, and civilian
fuel stations have rendered tanker jumpships a poor economic gamble.
Also, most merchants find the additional cost to maintain the inefficent
dual fusion plants not worth the greater safety margin.  And the 10
lifeboats are SO passe, and an unnecessary expense - although the crews
doesn't seem to mind.

TL C Orrimot-class Logistics Starship

Disp              2500    Hull Armour 10
Len               107m    Volume  35,000
Price     MCr  756.483    Target       M
Config         Slab SL    TL           C
Mass     26,564/15,929

Power plant  2 * 1250 Mw fusion (89 Mw/hit), 1 yr duration (174 Mw surplus)
Jump         3 (2333 kl fuel per parsec, 7000 kl total)
G-rating     1 (2000 Mw/g), CG lifters
G-turns      30.1 (51.2 w/jfuel, 77.5 w/jfuel, cargo fuel) 332.2 kl of
             fuel each G-turn
Maintenance  1258

Computer   3 * st TL C (.4 Mw)
Commo      1000 AU MAser (.6 Mw), 1000 AU Laser (.3 Mw), 30,000 Radio (1 Mw)
Avionics   TL A+
Sensors    P-EMS (30,000, .3 Mw), A-EMS (3,000 km, 8 Mw)
Controls   Bridge w/11 wstations, Engineering * 29

Armarment  5 * 120 Mj laser turrent (4: 1/9-27, 8:1/9-27, 16:1/6-9, 32:1/3-9)
           (Loc: 10 Arc: all 3.3 Mw, 1 Crew ea.)
           5 * sandcasters (Loc:11 Arc:All 1 Mw, 1 Crew ea. 30 Cann., 1D10*5)

Extended Life Support (4 Mw, [rounded])
Crew  53
             Engineer. 29  Man. 2, Elect. 2, Maint. 3, Gunnery 10, Command 7
Accomo       Sm. stateroom * 30
Facilities   2 hamster cages (600 kl each)
Airlocks     25
Cargo        8,728 kl.  (Usually used for fuel). Two fuel bladders: each
             holds 8720 kl.  Folded, each takes up 436 kl. One's backup.
Sm Craft     10 docking rings, each with a 5-ton liferaft

Combat move 153/6
Travel move 3300/240


Surface Area
1       1-5   Radio Ant
          6  1 Maser Ant
             2 Laser
             3-4 A-EMS
             5   P-EMS

Damage Area

1-5 Hold (Cargo or fuel)
6-7 Hold (Fuel)
8-9  1-4  Hold (Fuel)
     5-8  Hold (Liferaft)
     9-12 Hold (Cargo/Fuel, fuel bladder 1)
    13-16 Hold (Cargo/Fuel, fuel bladder 2)
    17-20 Hold (Fuel)

10-11  1-2  Wpns (10: Laser, 11: Sandcaster)
       3-14 Eng (fuel purifier)
      15-18 Eng (CG lifter)
      19-20 Hold (Fuel)
12-15 Hold (Fuel)
16-17  1-3 Elect
       4-8 Quarters
      9-20 Hold (Fuel)
18-19  1-7 Eng (power plant #1 in 18, #2 in 19)
      8-20 Eng (jump drive)
20     1-2 Eng (HEPlaR)
      3-20 Hold (Fuel)

System Damage

Elect
  Maser, Laser, Radio, A-EMS P-EMS      (1h) ant (1h)
Hold
  Cargo 88H (if loaded with cargo, rather than fuel)
Quarters
  Sm. Stateroom * 30       (2h) ea.
  Life Support              15H
  Emergency L.S.             7H
Engineering
  Jump Drive                35H ea.
  Power Plant * 2            7H
  HEPlaR                     2H
  ContraGrav                 8H
  Fuel Processing           38H
Weapons
  Laser * 5                  1H ea.
  Sandcasters * 5            1H ea.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvin Plummer
"Preserve what we created, Norris, and remember what we stood for."
                               - Strephon, 179-1126

Reply to: alvin.plummer@SHERIDANC.ON.CA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------

End of TRAVELLER Digest 508
***************************
